Moon Touched (Zodiac Wolves: The Lost Pack #1)(3)

“I can’t help it.” I wanted to pick up more pieces of my camera, but what would be the point? Lori had broken it beyond repair. “They say such stupid shit. They’re practically begging for me to call them out on it.”

“They shouldn’t be talking about you like that. You’re the alpha’s daughter, and they need to answer for that.”

“Yeah, right. You know my dad’s even worse.” I glanced down at my arms. The new bruises only added to the fading ones from the alpha. As long as I could remember, he’d been making bruises all along my body. Never my face, though. He did have appearances to keep up, and beating your daughter didn’t lend itself kindly to the gracious alpha persona he worked hard to protect. But everyone knew he treated me like an outcast, and he didn’t care when people like Brad behaved the same. Mira was angry for me, but I’d long since accepted the fact that I’d never be the daughter he wanted. It was my lot in the world, and I tried to take it in stride.

I knew why he beat me, even though it didn’t make any logical sense. I hadn’t asked to be born half-human, but Dad loved to punish me for the affair he’d had with my mother, even though I’d had no say in the result. Everything about me was a constant reminder to him of his mistake. My birthday outside of the Cancer sign dates, my lack of Zodiac mark, and my absence of pack abilities made it easy for him to hate me.

His mate, Jackie, even seemed to find my red hair offensive. I fingered a strand of it, whipping around in the light breeze. It set me apart from everyone else in the family and served as a constant reminder that Dad had screwed up and gotten some human pregnant. I’d tried to say that one time, when I’d been angry and my mouth had—once again—taken over. All it had earned me was a shot to the face from Jackie.

Mira was still focused on the bruises, fretting over them like the mother I’d never had. “They should look better before the Convergence,” she decided finally. “You’re lucky that I decided to come have a swim before we leave tomorrow. Who knows what would have happened if they had their way with you.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I said, shrugging and making my way back over to my shoes and jacket. “The bruises just prove that I’m not a true Cancer. I could call up the armor if I was.” The crab armor was a Cancer ability all pack members had from birth, allowing them to protect themselves. All except me. I sighed. “At least once I get my wolf, I’ll heal faster.”

“Lots of things are going to change after the Convergence,” Mira said softly.

The Convergence happened twice a year, at the summer and winter solstices, where all twelve Zodiac packs gathered to discuss issues, recognize new pack alphas, and bless newborn babies, among other things. This Convergence was at the summer solstice, the day before the start of Cancer season, and it would be in Montana, in the Sun Witches’ territory.

Mira and I would finally get our wolves at the Convergence too, now that both of us were twenty-two and considered of age. We were the only Cancers getting our wolves at this Convergence—all the other pack members got theirs at the winter solstice. Except me, of course. I’d been born in March, another sign that I didn’t belong in this pack.

As for Mira, she should have gotten her wolf at the winter solstice too, but she’d been forced to wait another six months, all because her father had challenged the alpha on something he didn’t agree with. Mira hadn’t been involved at all, but Dad knew punishing her was a blow to her entire family. It wasn't fair, but that's how our alpha worked. And when he gave an alpha command, we had to obey.

There was one other event at the Convergence too, the mating ritual, when anyone who had gained their wolf could try to find their fated mate. I hoped beyond hope that my mate—if I had one—would be from another pack. I’d do almost anything to get away from my dad and the rest of the Cancer shifters.

“I hope we’ll get mates from the same pack,” Mira said, her thoughts following the same vein that mine had. She’d said it so often that I almost expected it. I made a noise of affirmation but didn’t say anything. I wanted to stay with her, of course. But if she ended up having a mate in the Cancer pack and I didn’t, it wouldn’t make me too sad. Getting out of here was top priority.

It was the one thing my father and I agreed upon. He wanted me gone just as much as I wanted to leave. “I hope you’ll end up as some other pack’s problem,” he’d started saying the moment I’d turned twenty-two.

Thinking of my father sent my mood spiraling. I had to get back before he sent someone to get me. I turned to Mira and gave her what I hoped was a convincing smile. “Whatever happens at the Convergence, we’ll always stay friends and never lose touch.”

Mira hummed happily, taking my hand in hers and leading us back up the beach. I knew she meant well, but once she settled in with her mate, things would change. They always did. We’d drift apart, even if we did end up in the same pack, and the thought sent a shiver of wrongness through me.

I glanced back at the ocean and the scuffed sand where Brad and his gang had come after me. Will I ever feel like I truly belong anywhere?





Chapter Two





I packed the last set of clothes I’d need for the Convergence and tied my bag shut. I looked around, trying to figure out if I’d left anything behind. I didn’t have many possessions, and the fact that they could fit into this bag was pretty sad. I’d never had much of anything, too worried about Dad smashing my stuff in a fit of rage, and everything important was kept on digital files on my phone or in the cloud. I had all of my photography saved there, and that was what mattered most.